The Implications of Child Tracking Devices

Children should be supervised when playing outside.

One the most important things in life for any parent is the safety of their children. A big part of ensuring this is having some control over where your kids go and who they see. If you decide to fit your offspring with a GPS tracking device, consider a few practical and ethical issues before you go do so.

The Device

Child tracking devices used to be fitted into cell phones or worn like a curfew tag. They now come in less innocuous forms such as digital watches or sewn into the lining of coats. They send a signal to the parent's phone or computer keeping them informed of a child's whereabouts. Although some devices trigger an alarm if they are removed, it's likely to be difficult for a parent to get to the location where the alarm was triggered if anything untoward were happening.

Personal Freedom and Trust

Although children's safety is primarily the responsibility of their parents, it's important that older kids and teenagers learn how to manage their own lives and be given the chance to work with their guardians regarding what is acceptable behavior and what is not. The fitting of a GPS device to a child impacts upon their independence and implies that their parents do not trust them to take responsible decisions about where they go and how to conduct their lives. The use of such devices can erode trust and damage a child's view of authority.

Fallibilty

The technology behind GPS child tracking devices is not foolproof. A child can tamper with the device or stray into a building or area where it cannot transmit a signal. The best way of ensuring your child's safety is to educate them about the dangers of venturing beyond the parameters you have set and developing a relationship of trust.

References

• The Guardian: GPS wristwatch helps parents track children